eocenesky

They dedicated quite some time during training on how to avoid being attacked, what to do if you sense that a guest is going to hit you, and what to do IF a guest hits you. They did warn us that guests DO occasionally get inappropriately aggressive, for whatever reasons (drunk, unstable, think they're tough)

In my experience so far I have only been hit twice in the face, which were both accidents due to the guests reacting with their hands being thrown up in the air. It hurt, but it was an accident so I was more satisfied with the scare than I was bothered.

A few times I have sensed guests (mostly bored-looking, tough acting teenage boys, or frat boys with girlfriends that I scared) give me dirty looks and that "try me" stance, which with the actor training in mind, I would back off and "retreat" to my spot to avoid physical altercation. I think it's ridiculous that people actually hit scare actors, but testified by veteran actors, it does happen.

This is SUCH a thing.

White people - White moms will give out a genuine lil shriek and throw their hands up in the air. White teenage girls will scream like you just murdered their entire family in front of them, or they'll roll their eyes in your face. White teenage boys will either tell you to "DO SOMETHING" or scream a swear word.

Black people - Scream. Scream, scream, swear, scream, laugh, fall to the floor, run. These people know how to have fun in a haunt.

Gay people - Similar to black people, will just have a fun overall time. Lots of flamboyant screaming and waving arms, and "no omg omg no omg nooo".

Drunks - You see a drunk coming up, you pop-out, and they either stumble into you, a prop, or a wall. Annoying and not fun.

Spanish people - They laugh HYSTERICALLY.

LMAO Yes!!!! Actually this one guy broke off from his group while I was scaring them and went into my hidey hole. When I finished scaring them and went to go back to my spot he jumped out at me. He got me good, I jumped and laughed and broke character for a sec.

That I tailor my efforts stereotypically, but I'm almost always right. To clarify, why would I use up all of my energy on some uninterested guy in his 40s with his hands in his pockets when I can save it for the next group of screaming teenage girls? Screams are satisfying, so, if you really want a scary experience, walk through a haunt like you're scared shitless and scream at every little noise and the actors will tear you up, or at least appear engaged and interested. There's nothing more annoying than wasting a good scare on someone that's just going to blink in your face.

Hate - It gets hot. I sweat a lot. I smell. People insult me.

Love - Everything above I mentioned. It's a workout. I feel healthier. It's exercising made fun. Scaring people. Seeing them scream. Hearing them tell me "you got me good!" Hearing the comments "That guy needs a raise". Getting in character and staying in character. Being that character. It's stress relieving, it makes me feel like a kid again playing dress up and pretend. Going from my day job of customer service and smiling all day to my night job of telling people I want to rip their bones out one by one.